Prof. Alan Rozenshtein Quoted in Politico About Trump’s Options to Preserve TikTok

Professor Alan Rozenshtein was quoted in Politico About Donald Trump’s options for TikTok following the ban of the app on Jan. 19. Apple and Google pulled TikTok from their storefronts Saturday night after the app itself went dark on users. On Sunday, Trump unveiled plans for an executive order to save TikTok from a federal ban, immediately raising questions about the legality of his proposal, which appears to involve nationalizing half of the app. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “My initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.” TikTok announced it restored services for U.S. users hours after Trump’s announcement. Prof. Rozenshtein said, “The law doesn't require TikTok to shut down immediately. TikTok could switch to overseas servers and provide service to the 170M Americans who already have the app. TikTok is trying to put maximum pressure on Congress/Trump to undo the ban.”